wetland wildflower

Eastern bluestar

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Also known as Blue Dogbane, Willow Amsonia, Woodland Bluestar

Native to the Southeast, the Great Plains, and the Midwest

Maryland and southeastern Virginia to southern Illinois and infrequently to Kansas, south to Florida and eastern Texas

Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Wet Moisture preference
Zones 5–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A wetland wildflower for partial shade and wet soil. Its blue and purple flowers peak in April. At up to 3 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Eastern bluestar's blue and purple flowers bloom March to May, peaking in April. This spring display draws bees and butterflies.

Eastern bluestar blooms blue & purpleFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Eastern Carpenter Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee +5 more
American Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus, Half-black Bumble Bee, Blue Orchard Bee, Bufflehead Mason Bee
Butterflies Monarch

also Silver-spotted Skipper, American Lady, Eastern Tailed-Blue +3 more
Zabulon Skipper, Long Dash, Protographium marcellus
Moths Snowberry Clearwing also Hummingbird Clearwing, Fall Cankerworm Moth, Raspberry Pyrausta Moth
Also visited by
- Flower flies: The Merodon equestris Group, Tufted Globetail
- Wasps: Eastern Yellowjacket, Polistes dorsalis dorsalis
- Beetles: Kuschelina fimbriata

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Southeast, the Great Plains, and the MidwestUnited States (18): AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Maryland and southeastern Virginia to southern Illinois and infrequently to Kansas, south to Florida and eastern TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: WetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 5–9 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Wet to moist, sandy soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.

Growth & form

Height: up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
Flower color: Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.